San Jacinto Battlefield Monument, La Porte, Texas
Posted on 11/02/2009 4:18:23 PM PST by writer33
The cannonballs ripped through the rock wall, sending bits of rock into Lieutenant-Colonel William Travis’ legs. He fell over against the cannons as the rock tore into him. It felt as though he had been stuck with hot needles, burning him as they pierced the flesh.
“Fire,” he yelled, stammering to his feet.
The cannonballs rocketed into the seemingly endless number of Mexican soldiers charging the Alamo. They were surrounded, and Colonel Travis didn’t know how much longer they would last. Could this be the end of the Republic of Texas? He wasn’t sure, and all that was left was Sam Houston and his army.
The Mexicans began to charge, climbing the Alamo walls. It was more than they would withstand. He would have to fight hand to hand.
“Fire,” he ordered. The cannon blasted away again. More Mexicans penetrated the Alamo walls. They were coming. Colonel Travis unsheathed his sword. “For Texas, and for America,” he yelled.
He turned, and was shot through the head. He staggered, turned and fell on the hot cannons, dead.
(Excerpt) Read more at electivedecisions.wordpress.com ...
For the citizens of California, New York, New Jersey and Virginia, I ask you to remember the words of Colonel William Travis:
The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch...
Ping!
bump!!
but don’t forget we lost that battle...
Yes, we lost that battle to the last man.
But not San Jacinto!
Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad!
Exactly, it was that rallying cry which spurred the Texans on to victory at San Jacinto!
Houston’s army defeats Santa Anna
(written as a newpaper article)
From the El Paso Times (during the Sesqui-centennnial)
by Ed Pass
San Jacinto, Texas, April 21, 1836
Here, where the land meets the sea. Gen Sam Houston’s Army of 783 men has defeated and put to rout Mexico’s Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his military force of about 1,200 men.
The Lone Star flag of Texas, and no other, flies over the newly-born republic as the sun sets on this glorious day.
Two Texans were killed and about 30 wounded. Mexican loses were heavy— 630 dead and 700 prisioners.
Somewhere in the marshes at land’s end, where there is no escape, Santa Anna, Mexico’s dictator-president, is in hiding.
The Texans expect to find the general tomorrow and establish surrender terms.
The victorious battle climaxes a long retreat by Houston from Gonzales, across swollen rivers, as he sought the right place and time to recoil. He found them here.
Santa Anna had outrun the main body of his army hoping to capture the Texas government at Harrisburg. President David Burnett and his cabinet fled in the nick of time to Galveston Island.
Santa Anna burned Harrisburg, then moved his army over Vince’s Bridge that crosses a bayou. When Houston learned of this move, he ordered his troops across the bridge and marched them to within less than a mile of the Mexicans.
At 9:00AM this morning (April 21), 540 men under Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos crossed Vince’s bridge to join Santa Anna. Houston dispatched Erastus “Deaf” Smith to destroy the bridge, thereby preventing more arrivals or retreat by either side.
For Texans, this meant victory or death.
At 3:30PM today, Houston paraded his troops, telling them the time of battle was at hand. The infantry formed a line 1,000 yards across. Artillery and cavalry flanked them. Somebody in the line held a flag — a five-point blue star on a white field — Proclaiming in Latin “where liberty lives, there is our homeland”.
A German with a fife struck up a tune. “Come to the Bower”, as a black man beat a drum. Houston, on horseback, commanded: “Forward — Texas” as he drew his sword. The Twin Sisters — two cannon given by the people of Cincinnati — were poised.
Col. Sydney Sherman, on the left flank, cried, “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!”
Others picked up the chant as they advanced up a small rise of land shielding them from the enemy. Then they charged as the cannon blew away a bulwark of baggage and saddles. Caught in siesta and without sentries, the Mexican army was in panic. The Texans were amoung them before they could strike a formation.
Houston had 2 horses shot from under him and a rifle ball hit his foot.
In 18 minutes, the fighting was over. The following silence was like an anthem.
THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
Thomas Paine
All they really need to do is:
REMEMBER LAST NOVEMBER 20th! The day everything changed and we lost hope!
Yes, indeed. Thanks for the post, kabar.
Yep, the RINO Alamo
Something not Onionesque ping!
Exactly!
Then we go on to the CONSERVATIVE Battle of San Jacinto...when
the good guys win!
Yes, indeed, on to conservative victory.
Thanks for posting the picture, Fiji Hill. It’s perfect.
I have a feeling the tide, as it were, is turning in our favor!
Incredible thread... STILL an incredible country!!!
ping!
I've heard of that bridge.
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